The leader of Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has called for an end to the boycott of Russian oil and gas, arguing that cheap Russian energy is essential to restore the country’s industrial strength and “Made in Germany” competitiveness.
In an interview with news agency Reuters, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel said Germany must seek a pragmatic reset with Russia.
“Cheap energy from Russia was the secret of the success of ‘Made in Germany’. We need it back,” Weidel stated.
“The loss of this energy has set us back years. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost. It has made us dependent on the United States, which sells us energy at far higher prices.”
Before the sanctions imposed after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia supplied more than a third of Germany’s crude oil imports and more than half of its natural gas.
The shutdown of the Nord Stream pipelines following explosions in 2022 dealt a severe blow to German industry, which remains in the doldrums.
Volkswagen is preparing what could be the most radical restructuring in its history, with CEO Oliver Blume reportedly planning to cut up to 100,000 jobs worldwide and close four German factories. https://t.co/gbr40BBlo6
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) June 26, 2026
Weidel positioned the AfD as ready for national leadership.
She highlighted upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as “decisive milestones”.
“If we win in Saxony-Anhalt, then Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will probably follow. I can see the AfD in the chancellery either by the next elections or the ones after,” she said.
The AfD has been dominating polls in eastern Germany, where attitudes towards Russia are often more sympathetic due to historical ties from the Soviet era.
A victory in these states would challenge Berlin’s policies on migration and energy, and could weaken the so-called “firewall” that mainstream parties have used to exclude the AfD from power.
Weidel rejected accusations that the AfD is extremist.
“The way we see ourselves and the way our political rivals judge us, are miles apart,” she said to Reuters.
“People describe us as far-right. In truth, we are a party for the regular person. We will not turn everything on its head if we get into power.”
The comments come after a senior AfD lawmaker, Markus Frohnmaier, visited Russia earlier this month and met Gazprom head Alexei Miller.
Frohnmaier called for the reopening of the Nord Stream route, noting that it could take only three months to resume supplies.
Mainstream politicians have criticised the AfD’s stance.
Roderich Kiesewetter of the Christian Democrats said the party’s “romanticisation of Russia” is distorting the public debate, particularly ahead of eastern state elections.
A new voter survey for the east German State of Saxony-Anhalt shows an option for the AfD to achieve a majority in the state’s parliament after elections in September this year. https://t.co/LXnfX47Jgj
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) March 27, 2026
